06 Feb 7 Easy Ways to Give Your Eyes a Rest

In today’s day and age, our lives revolve around digital screens. We are constantly streaming, scrolling, swiping and typing. Studies have shown most adults now spend over two hours each day looking at a digital screen. Prolonged near work, such as computer use, reading, using hand-held electronic devices, or even doing homework will stress our eyes’ focusing system.

This stress has been shown to be a factor in stimulating our eyes to grow longer, especially in children, thus triggering near-sightedness. Follow the guidelines below for reducing visual stress and fatigue. Do you often experience any of the symptoms listed below?

Symptoms

Headache

Fatigue

Vertigo

Pain in or around the eyes

Blurred , and dimmed vision

Double vision

Smart Habits for Your Eyes

Follow these simple steps you can do every day to start reducing the impact of prolonged near work.

Make sure viewing distance is not too close. Reading, writing or near-work is best performed at a distance equal to the length between the knuckles and the elbows known as the Harmon distance.

Take frequent breaks with prolonged close-up work. In the digital age, you stare at screens more than ever. This means you may blink up to 66% less, which contributes to dryness. Refer to the 20/20/20 Rule. Rest your eyes every 20 minutes, look out in the distance 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Utilize proper lighting. Illuminate the entire area using overhead/full-room lighting. In order to avoid glare, the best light source should be coming from behind, over one’s shoulder if possible.

Strive for adequate posture and positioning. Maintain an upright position with the book inclined at an angle of about 20 degrees. Avoid reading while lying on the back, side or stomach in the bed or on the floor.

Avoid sitting too close to the TV. Maintain a distance of 6 to 8 feet from the television. Have indirect lamps on inside of the room.